Celebrate Christmases Past at Kaminski House

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Do you long for an old-fashioned Christmas? Not the kind when you were a kid, or even when your parents and grandparents were young. We're talking about the kind holiday as it was celebrated in Colonial America era.

There aren't too many places where you can still experience Christmas in 18th century America, but one of them is right here on the Grand Strand, not too far from Myrtle Beach and the Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort.

Located in the historic port city of Georgetown, about 30 minutes south of Myrtle Beach, The Kaminski House Museum serves as a time portal that brings Colonial era South Carolina back to life in the 21st century.

Built in the mid-1700s on a bluff overlooking the Sampit River, the three-story Georgian mansion stands out among the 60-plus antebellum homes in downtown Georgetown. The home has a rich history of colorful residents who occupied the home over the years before it was preserved as a museum to tell the story of life in early South Carolina.

Once the world's largest exporter of rice and one of the wealthiest cities in the New World, Georgetown has seen the rise and fall over various industries over the centuries. Yet the Kaminski House still stands as a testament to the town's unique past as told through the stories of previous residents dating back too original owner Paul Trapier.

The preservation of history is particularly appealing during the holidays when the Kaminsky House Museum undergoes an extreme makeover to bring the spirit of Christmases past into the present. The “Dressed for the Season” series features several special events inside the venue and on the spacious lawn, beginning in mid-November and running through the new year.

Here are a few “Designer's Showhouse: Dressed for the Season” events to circle on your calendar that will help put you and your family in the Christmas spirit during your Grand Strand vacation and stay at Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort:

Holiday Gospel Brunch | The Kaminski House's holiday makeover is revealed for the first time at this special brunch on Sunday, Nov. 11. Held from noon to 3 p.m., the Holiday Gospel Brunch features live music by Georgetown's historic AME Choir, a Southern spread of shrimp and grits and mimosas, and a tour of the home in all its holiday splendor. Tickets are $45 per person.

Lighting of the Lawn | Wait for it … and experience the moment when the lights and decorations are unveiled for the holiday season. Held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, this special event is a favorite for folks who love seeing organizers flip the switch on the Christmas lights that illuminate the historic home. Lights are also draped across the limbs of the ancient live oak trees on the property to create a magical landscape. Tickets are $15 per person.

Candlelight Tour | See what life was like before electricity and enjoy a glowing tour of the Kaminsky House. Visitors can see the beautiful holiday decor by candlelight as they go from room to room with a tour guide who tells the stories of the families that celebrated the holidays in the house. The event takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13. Tickets are $15 per person.

Family Night | The “Designer's Showhouse: Dressed for the Season” series comes to a close with this popular event. Held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, Family Night features something for all ages – the Candy Cane Express tram tour, a holiday scavenger hunt for kids, and hot chocolate and treats for everyone. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children with adults. Children under 12 are admitted free.

It all adds up to one Christmas to remember at the Kaminski House's “Designer's Showhouse: Dressed for the Season” series. Book your tickets now at www.kaminskihousemuseum.com, and make your plans to spend the holidays at Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort.